{"id":7566,"date":"2011-07-23T01:00:56","date_gmt":"2011-07-23T08:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145696.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=7566"},"modified":"2017-08-18T11:33:32","modified_gmt":"2017-08-18T18:33:32","slug":"garage-sale-tips-finding-vintage-items-at-garage-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/feelgoodstyle.com\/articles\/garage-sale-tips-finding-vintage-items-at-garage-sales\/","title":{"rendered":"Garage Sale Tips: Finding Vintage Items at Garage Sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Emma Martin<\/strong>
\n\"garage<\/a><\/p>\n

You can find hidden treasures, vintage clothing and jewelry, and even valuable antiques by diligently attending garage sales.<\/h3>\n

Not only is a garage sale a great place to score vintage<\/a> goodies on the cheap, but stocking your closet with second hand treasures, you can avoid supporting big box brands and the questionable production and labor practices<\/a> that accompany them.<\/p>\n

With a bit of careful planning and an alarm clock you can have first pick of the best items. Are you replacing childhood treasures you regret throwing away as a teenager? Looking for older appliances for the engineer in your household to fix up to sell or use? Seeking out collectors’ items to keep or sell on eBay? Sooner or later your items will turn up.<\/p>\n

Planning for a Garage Sale Trip<\/h3>\n

Garage, yard and estate sales<\/a> can take place any time although most are scheduled on weekends. They are often advertised in the classified section of the newspaper and on Craigslist as much as a week beforehand. There are now websites specifically for posting garage sales, but these may not have all the information from your area.<\/p>\n

Fine weather is necessary for a good sale, so keep an eye on weekend weather forecasts. If you go to an advertised sale, be sure you get the address right and find out exactly where it is. MapQuest isn’t always reliable!<\/p>\n

With a little observational skill you can find out when the most popular garage sale seasons are in your area. Drive around and look for signs posted at street corners. In college towns, sales often take place at semester’s end. Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path to seek out sales in older neighborhoods and nearby towns. You’ll know a good sale when you find it.<\/p>\n

Timing Is Everything<\/h3>\n

Getting the best picks at a garage sale has always been a matter of first come, first served. Today, thanks to eBay and Antiques Roadshow, many more people are aware of the potential value in older items. Although very unlikely, it’s occasionally possible to get hundreds of dollars for something you bought for a dime.<\/p>\n

People who are in the know about collectibles like trains and dolls sweep the tables clean at these sales, so be sure to plan your garage sale tours ahead of time.<\/p>\n

You’re likely to want to go to several sales on one day. The action usually starts very early in the morning: 6 a.m. is not unusual. Get a good night’s sleep the night before and get up early enough to eat a good breakfast. Take along a thermos of coffee and some sandwiches. Wear clean, comfortable clothes and good shoes, since you’re going to be on your feet most of the day.<\/p>\n

Most important: decide beforehand on the amount of money you want to spend and have a bit more than that amount in cash. Use ones, fives and tens, along with a roll or two of quarters.<\/p>\n

Next>> Identifying vintage items at a garage sale and how to care for your vintage scores<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by peyri<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"garage<\/a><\/p>\n

Identifying Vintage\u2028\u2028 Items at a Garage Sale<\/h3>\n

Vintage items are usually less than 100 years old, but older than 20 years. Today, the 1960s and 1970s are considered vintage and over 100 is antique, although there’s considerable overlap. Consult your local library for books on vintage furniture, clothing and so on.<\/p>\n

Antiques Roadshow is a great source of expert advice. If there’s an antique mall in your town, you can visit it and find a staff member who can answer questions, too.<\/p>\n

If you are specifically looking for vintage and antique items, your best bets are estate sales and neighborhoods where a lot of retired people live. If a sale has a lot of baby stuff, chances are you won’t find much vintage there. Bundles of old magazines and vinyl record albums are often a good sign that you’re in the right place. Most people now sell the really valuable stuff to antique dealers, so don’t expect to find rare first editions or an Honus Wagner baseball card sitting on a table. It’s possible, but not likely.<\/p>\n

You’ll also want to b\u2028eware of reproductions of popular vintage items. Check the manufacturer’s markings on the bottom. Sometimes these will be in code. With practice you can get a good sense of authenticity and value. If you’ve got a smart phone, you can also look things up on the spot to see if you’re holding a dud or a vintage treasure.<\/p>\n

Caring for Vintage Items<\/h3>\n

It’s important to properly store and care for vintage finds.<\/p>\n

Never put older clothing in a plastic bag and never wash it in a machine. Keep jewelry in cloth pouches in a cool dry place and use a professional cleaning solution. Clean vinyl records with a dilute solution of Dr. Bronner’s baby castille<\/a> and store them upright in sleeves and covers.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of books and websites telling how to restore your vintage treasures, or you can take them to a professional. \u2028\u2028There’s nothing like the satisfaction of having beautiful old things around you. It can give you a sense of stability and security that’s all too lacking in today’s world.<\/p>\n

Have you guys scored any cool, vintage finds at yard sales? Share away in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma Martin is an avid garage sale<\/a> fan, regularly scouring her city for unique finds and great deals. Weirdest thing she ever bought at a yard sale: a dinner plate with George W. Bush’s picture covering it. She is a content contributor for YardSaleSearch.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by mayrodrigo<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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